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Universal Credit

Welfare benefits are changing and more people are being moved on to a new kind of benefit – Universal Credit.

Universal Credit, which was introduced by the UK Government, is a single monthly payment that replaces six benefits.

Anyone making a new benefit claim, or updating a current claim, will be moved on to Universal Credit. The new benefit has already been introduced in East Lothian, Midlothian, Stirling, Fife and West Lothian. It is coming to Edinburgh in October 2018.

There are important differences to Universal Credit you need to know about:

it can take six weeks from when you first make a claim until you get your first payment

payments will be made once a month, on the same date every month

the money is paid directly to your bank account and will include your housing costs (rent)

we won’t receive your rent payment directly so it’s up to you to pay your rent every month

you will be asked to sign a claimant commitment. If you don’t follow this, you can be sanctioned and lose all of your benefits

These choices will be offered to people making new claims for Universal Credit in full service areas. You'll find this option in your online journal at the start of your second assessment period.

Don’t worry alone. Dunedin Canmore will help you.

you’ll need to go online and have an email address. We will help you get online and update your online journal

your money will go into a bank account. We will help you set up a bank account

it’s up to you to pay your rent. We will help you budget and set up a direct debit payment

If your circumstances change and you need to claim Universal Credit, do it quickly so your first payment isn’t delayed. We will help you make a claim and offer lots of support till your first payment comes in.